Chapter 43: Hermosa Beach
Her alarm went off which caused a hand to come out from the covers and click off her phone. In what seemed like just a few minutes she laid there still as a stone, then in a flurry of activity the covers were thrown off and she was out of bed. It took a moment for her to work out the knots in her joints, but she was up and about.
Candace "Candi" Scott walked over to the mirror and looked at herself. She wore heather gray lounge shorts and a sports bra, but she couldn't help but stare at the faded scar on her chest, it was thirty plus years ago, but that faint line reminded her of things, things that help motivate her. It wasn't her fault she needed the surgeries. She was born that way, but it made her want to work with children with similar issues.
After her moment of self-reflection, she reached back and tied her brown hair into a ponytail. Next, she grabbed her short robe and put it on, modesty wasn't a big thing with her, but she didn't want to give Kaelyn's plaything another free show. Tying the belt, she slipped her feet into a pair of flip-flops and headed downstairs.
The nap did her good as she was awake, and her mind was sharp. The grief of the previous shift was gone, as she went into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. Taking the mug, she walked out onto the patio through one of the sets of French Doors, which looked out onto the beach. From the vantage of the patio, she could look across The Strand and onto Hermosa Beach and could also clearly see what was going on, on this terrace. This was why she liked living on the west coast.
"It never stops to amuse me how in a world of blonde bombshells everyone takes notices of my brown-haired, housemate," A male voice said.
"It's simple in this world, I'm a unicorn," Candi said.
He laughed, "Why would you say that?" he asked.
"Simple, because here, I'm unique," Candi said, "And technically since I was born blonde, I'm not that unique."
"Always such a wise-ass, aren't we?" he asked.
Candi took a sip of her coffee, which hid her smile. After an elongated sip, she lowered it, "Always been that way. But an Irish Person as yourself should know that," she said.
"It's true," he said and laughed, "Bad shift? You were in bed before I got out of the shower to talk to you."
"Flynn, it wasn't that bad, considering it was New Years," Candi said, "Had one case, that will tear your heart out."
"Oh really, please do explain," Flynn asked. Candi looked at him, a tall strawberry blonde man, and her only male housemate, Doctor Flynn Keegan.
"Had to tell a fifteen-year-old boy he might need heart surgery," Candi said, "He was playing basketball when he collapsed."
"Aren't cases like this why you chose pediatric and cardiology?" Flynn asked.
Candi nodded, "Yeah, but it still hurts, and brings back memories," she said.
"Probably always will," Flynn said.
"You're probably right," Candi said.
Flynn smiled, "So, we got you out here set up for bait, let's see what guys you can reel in," he said.
"Flynn! What would Alden think?" Candi asked.
"Hey, he would think as long as I enjoy the home cooking it doesn't matter where I get my appetite," Flynn said.
Candi laughed, "God, sometimes you remind me of my brother," she said, "Too much."
"Keith? He's your brother, so he's good people, but I couldn't be married to a politician," Flynn said.
"They make it work," Candi said.
"Girl, open thy robe up a bit and let's get some fishes in our net," Flynn said.
"You're incorrigible," Candi said with a laugh.
"Since I've moved in, you've been my only housemate that's yet to go on a date," Flynn said, "Why's that?"
"Too busy," Candi said and sipped her coffee.
"Nobody is too busy, it's just priorities," Flynn said.
"Kaelyn dates enough for the both of us," Candi replied.
"C'mon, Candi, don't lie and what's with the robe? You're usually out here in less," Flynn said.
Candi nodded. This was their thing; they would stand out here and watched the guys on the beach. It was how they first met when he moved in. Candi thought he was hot, but when she found out they had the same taste in coffee and men they bonded instantly.
"Kaelyn's latest playmate was over and ended up in my room and got an eyeful of me in a towel, so hence the robe, he doesn't need to see more of me," Candi said.
"Oh, poor Candi afraid you might steal Kaelyn's toy away from her?" Flynn asked.
"No," Candi said.
"You should do it, it's fun," Flynn said.
"I don't need that drama, remember I have three sisters," Candi said.
Flynn laughed, "I've met two of them, I see your point," he said.
Candi laughed, "Mads wants to plan a girl's day out, will Alden allow you to go?" she asked.
"I don't know depends," Flynn replied.
"Oh?" Candi asked.
"The usual," Flynn replied.
"Always the usual," Candi said.
"So, Kayla called, that's why we're going to see Tacit Blue tonight?" Flynn asked.
Candi nodded, "Yeah, she called me, and I said sure and invited Y'all," she said.
"There's the southern coming out," Flynn teased.
"With a Manhattan accent," Candi shot back.
Flynn nodded, "You have to share, how do you get all this four-star treatment?" he asked.
"Kayla? An old friend of the family, you have to remember I'm from a small town, things get rather jumbled," Candi said.
"How?" Flynn asked.
"Kayla's brother is married to my sister-in-law's sister, and Kayla's sister is best friends with my brother. Also, Kayla's brother is good friends with my aunt," Candi said.
Flynn nodded, "I remember why we don't talk about it that much; it makes my head hurt," he said.
Candi laughed, "Yeah, my family is a bit complex," she said.
"That's putting it mildly," Flynn said, "C'mon Candi bring out the bait, the fish should be biting."
One of the sets of French Doors opened behind them and they heard someone come out. Neither Candi nor Flynn turned to see who it was. The third person took the space next to Candi.
"Are you two playing your game," she asked. Candi turned to look at her.
"Yeah, we are," Candi said, smiled at her landlady, Doctor Fawn Cabot, who was about Candi's age but was done with residency. To supplement her income, she rented her extra bedrooms to young doctors that worked at the same nearby hospital, that she did. Candi was her longest termed tenant. Fawn was also tall, five foot eight inches, roughly, and one of the few people that could almost see eye to eye with Candi in the house. Fawn also had brown hair and blue eyes like Candi, but where Candi's hair was light brown, from it turning from blonde, Fawn's was dark.
Fawn laughed, "I can't tell you haven't set out any bait," she said, to Candi's ears she could hear the slight hints of what was once a southern drawl that had faded from being away from that speech pattern. That was something Candi didn't have, as people still heard her Manhattan accent.
Flynn laughed, "I've been telling her that since I came out here," he said.
"I need some cheering up, so Candi brings out the big guns," Fawn said.
"They're not that big," Candi said.
Fawn laughed but noted something was off, "What's with the robe?' she asked.
"Kaelyn's new plaything ended up in Candi's room after her shower," Flynn said.
Fawn shook her head, "I swear Kaelyn will be the death of me, between all her dates and half of them becoming more interested in you Candi, I don't know what I'm going to do," she said, teasing.
Candi shrugged, "I'm just a working doctor," she said.
"Who just seems to have all these connections," Flynn pointed out.
"Kayla is my sister-in-law's husband's sister who works at the recording label I worked at in my undergrad, no big deal," Candi said.
Fawn laid a hand on Candi's hand, "We shouldn't pry if you don't want to share you don't have too. It's natural to get curious," she said.
"Thanks, Fawn," Candi said.
"You're welcome," Fawn said, "So, any surprises tonight?"
Candi shook her head, "Nope, not that I can think of," she said.
"I love Tacit Blue, ever since you gave me that promo CD," Fawn said, "I can't wait."
"It should be a good show," Candi said and sipped her coffee.
Flynn nodded, "That reminds me, I should get more familiar with their music," he said.
Fawn laughed, "You think," she said.
"Later girls," Flynn said and left.
After the French Doors closed Fawn moved over closer to Candi. "How tied into your cousin is Tacit Blue?" she asked.
"Not many people know he's my cousin, not very, tangentially, but they stand on their own and got here on their own," Candi said.
"How have you been with it?" Fawn asked.
"Okay, that was a rough year," Candi said.
"It was the first year of your pediatric residency if I remember," Fawn said.
"You just bought this place, and we were in the same program," Candi said and smiled.
"Good times," Fawn said.
"There's been worse," Candi replied, "And I get the second biggest bedroom."
"Like that boy last night?" Fawn asked, "Hey I had to keep my best roommate ever with me."
Candi nodded, "Yeah," she said and sighed, she didn't know which part she was saying yeah to.
"I was there that night as well," Fawn said.
"Well as they say, Hey, Hey, My, My," Candi replied and sipped her coffee.
"What's on your mind?" Fawn asked.
"Why do people find me interesting?" Candi asked.
Fawn shook her head, "Me, I don't. But seeing how you decorate your room, I can understand why others do," Fawn said.
"Fawn we've known each other since med school," Candi said.
"We have, and that's why I'm not interested," Fawn said.
"But you have never asked, after all these years why I'm so private about it," Candi pointed out.
"I've always thought it was your business, and not mine, with whom you share it," Fawn said.
"Tickets," Candi said, "That's why."
"But you've always invited me to these shows," Fawn pointed out.
"Exactly, I've invited you, none of you asked," Candi said.
Fawn nodded, "I'm thinking I get it, maybe… help me?" she said.
"Remember in med school, I didn't talk about or deny my family connections, how naive I was really. Soon, people were asking me for basketball tickets, or concert tickets, once even for a free dress," Candi said.
"A free dress?" Fawn asked.
Candi laughed, "That wasn't even the weirdest one," she said.
Fawn nodded, "We all have our crosses to bear," she said.
Candi nodded, "That we do," she said, "Also that's why we're friends, Fawn," Candi took a sip of her coffee and the mug lingered to hide her smile.
Fawn nodded, "So, c'mon let's reel some of these fish in," she said, and laughed.
"How do you know about the game?" Candi asked.
Fawn laughed, "I was here when you invented it before Flynn moved in," she said.
Candi laughed, knowing it was true, and looked at Fawn, "Fine!" she said and laughed again, untied her robe and slide it off her shoulders, "Happy now?"
"In a minute, I will be," Fawn said and smiled.
Candi just shook her head, laughed, and enjoyed the sun on her skin.